Corithians College/Everest

Review: I enrolled at Everest College last March (2013). During the enrollment, promises were made to help find jobs! The 'externship' that we were made to complete was not mentioned during enrollment. In one class other students started talking about the 200 hour externship that we had to complete. In the last module there was an externship meeting. The Dean,

**. [redacted] stated that by the Law of the Commonwealth of Virginia they (Everest) had fourteen days to find us an externship and if they did not we (the students) would be dropped from classes. But to be reminded that we still had to pay our outstanding loans. Prior to completing the course a Career Services Representative visited our class and asked if anyone had a 'Special' schedule and if they did to email it to them. I work full-time and relayed this to Career Services several times. They said that they had very few night externships but the ones who required them would be placed in them. I completed the ten month course (minus the 200 clinical hours) on January 25, 2014. To date I have not been placed in an externship. Graduation is in June or July, but I may not be able to march with my class. I also informed them that my supervisor was willing to work with my schedule meaning that I did not only have to have an evening site, but could work another. Still no assistance. Although, my last instructor **. [redacted] was trying to assist as much as she was allowed.

I feel that the commercials that Everest advertises on television are inconsistant with what actually goes on in the Campus. There are many issues with the [redacted] location. The first day I used my blood pressure cuff, it broke. When I informed an instructor I was told to purchase another one. I ordered one offline from a Medical Supply company. I let that issue ride since the school just opened. But more issues started to surface; fights on a daily basis, executive staff fratenizing with the students, drug use amongst other things. My main concern is that I paid over $18,000 to attend Everest, and they have not made much effort to locate an externship site for me and many others. I have all the instances that I've reached out to them, and ones in which they reached out to me. I was told that I needed to assist them in finding an externship site. This was not a topic of discussion at enrollment or at orientation. Had it been I would have chosen another school. It seems as if they're trying to keep a certain amount of students enrolled.

On one instance they had the students cleaning up for an Accredidation visit (the labs were a mess). They knew how to contact me then. But later I received a letter stating I was being dropped and another letter with financial obligations in which they signed my name. Stating that they could not reach me via phone or in person. I find that hard to digest because any time they wanted a payment they literally walked to my class, pulled me out and escorted me to their offices to pay the bill on the spot. The system at Everest is broken and a lot of people are paying a high price to find that out. I would like my monies refunded, an externship site found in which to complete my 200 clinical hours, my diploma, my certification exam appointment, and the right to march with my class at graduation. Just for the record I made several attempts to rectify this issue but no one is responding. I have sent several lists of externship sites that I called prior to sending the list to Everest to see if they could accommodate my schedule. They ensured me that they could. Just to call Everest and they told me that they wasn't able to work with my schedule. They then gave the sites on the list to other students. This is so unprofessional! I'm sure you would see the same if someone just popped up to the campus.

In Service,

[redacted]. [redacted]Desired Settlement: I would like my monies refunded, an externship site found in which to complete my 200 clinical hours, my diploma, my certification exam appointment, and the right to march with my class at graduation.

Business

Response:

April 28, 2014Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC and Eastern PennsylvaniaRE: [redacted]- #[redacted]We received the above complaint from [redacted] (the “Student”). Everest College, [redacted] (the “School”) thanks the Revdex.com (the “Revdex.com”) for this opportunity to respond to the Student’s concerns. The Student began the Medical Assistant diploma program on April 24, 2013 and is actively participating in her externship as of the writing of this response. The following information addresses the Student’s concerns: The Student claims that the externship that she was “made to complete was not mentioned during enrollment.”Externship, while not conducted at the campus, is an extension of the educational program. In this setting, the student is provided an opportunity to apply their skills in a practical way. Externship is still considered a learning opportunity, and is the final requirement in a student’s educational program before they can graduate from the program. This requirement is disclosed to all students during the enrollment process in multiple places including the School Catalog and the Enrollment Agreement. In fact, the externship portion of astudent’s program is a feature that sets the School apart from many other institutions as it is an opportunity for a student to gain professional experience prior to graduation. This is a component that allows the School’s graduates to be more marketable to potential employers and in some cases, the externship opportunity results in employment. The School strongly denies the allegation that the Student was unaware of this requirement until “other students started talking about the 200 hour externship.”On page 30 of the School Catalog the courses for the program are outlined in chart form. The last course listed in “Module X: Externship” with 200 clock hours and 6.0 quarter credit units. The School is uncertain how the Student could claim she was unaware of this requirement. Additionally, prior to graduation, students attend Career Services workshops usually a couple of months prior to externship, not at the start of the student’s academic program. These workshops consist of different topics including: résumé writing, interviewing skills, cover letter writing, mentoring, employment research, and networking, to help prepare students for the upcoming externship and employment opportunities. All students are required to attend the workshops which are presented by the School’s Career Services Department. Along with the workshops, students are work directly with a representative to help explore externship opportunities. The Student claims that she advised the School of her scheduling needs prior to externship at which time she was told the School had “fourteen days to find” an externship or she would be “dropped.” The Student is correct that the School was aware that she requested an externship during the evening hours. She is also correct that if she was not active in a course, or on externship, 14 days after her last date of attendance that she would be dropped from the program. The School discloses this multiple times during the admissions process, and throughout the program when discussing externship, the Student was advised that externship hours are not guaranteed. The Enrollment Addendum and Disclosures form contains the following clause which the Student initialed and signed: “Externship/Clinical:Externship/Clinical sites are not restricted to regular business hours and may require distant travel, different shifts or weekend work to allow for completion of required clinical hours. Requests for particular scheduling or locations will not be accommodated. Evening students may have externship hours different from an evening class schedule. There is no guarantee as to when a student’s extern hours may occur. No School representative has states or implied anything to the contrary.”The Student’s initials after this clause demonstrated her understanding of, and agreement to this guideline. As with any student, in any course, including externship, if a student is out of attendance for more than 14 days the School is required to drop the student from the program. Records indicate that the Student’s last scheduled date of class, prior to externship was January 27, 2014, not January 25 as she claims. On February 11, 2014 the Student was dropped from the program for violating the School’s attendance policy. Contrary to the Student’s statement that her “supervisor was willing to work with” her job schedule, on February 18, 2014 the School discussed an externship opportunity with the Student at [redacted]. Unfortunately, the externship site was only open until 4:00 p.m. and the Student works outside of the area until 5:00 p.m. At that time the Student requested that the School contact her personal doctor, Dr. [redacted] at [redacted] Internal Medicine, for a possible externship site one day per week and on weekends. This information does not support the Student’s claim that she was able to have a flexible schedule at work that she no longer required an evening externship site. The School continued to attempt assisting the Student with locating an externship site that fit within the confines of her work schedule. Records indicate that the School had reached out to Simplicity Urgent Care, [redacted], and two different doctors at [redacted] Internal Medicine with no success in securing a late evening or weekend externship schedule.On March 25, 2014 the School notified the Student via email that a potential site was identified at [redacted] Medical that was able to accommodate the Student’s request for evening and weekend hours. Records indicate that the Student completed re-entry paperwork on March 27, 2014 and began her externship with [redacted] Medical on March 27, 2014 and is still actively participating in her externship as of April 26, 2014.The Student makes multiple additional claims related to management of the School, communication regarding financial obligations, and use of supplies. The School has no records to indicate that the Student has voiced concerns with any of the unrelated allegations in her complaint. The School has no documentation to support the Student’s claims regarding “fights on a daily basis,” “drug use,” or any of her allegations from the Student or anyone else at the School. The Student is encouraged to contact the Campus President, **. [redacted], at###-###-#### to discuss these concerns in more detail so that the School can research and address the concerns as appropriate. The School successfully assisted the Student in locating an externship that accommodated her work schedule and therefore declines her request for a refund. The School is happy to continue to assist the Student in completion of her educational program and to provide support during her search for employment in her field upon graduation. In light of our response the School asks that the Revdex.com find in favor and close the complaint. We again thank the Revdex.com for this opportunity to address the Student’s questions and concerns and to demonstrate the School’s commitment to the Revdex.com’s principles and purposes. Please do not hesitate to contact me at thenumber below if you wish to discuss this matter in greater detail.Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:The school claims externship was discussed during my onboarding. It was not. Many of the students were not made aware of this fact until mid-way through the course. Actually, we learned about it from other students. If it was the school's intent to make us aware, they failed to do so. I can provide names of students if required. Also, the school only made an attempt to find me an extern site because of my letter to the Revdex.com. Had I not contacted you, I would still be looking for a site. You can simply call [redacted] County Police Department for a list of times they were called to the school. No statement in my original letter to the Revdex.com was false. I understand their wanting to keep the school open. It is an ok school. But some major changes have to be made. In the school's response........

On February 11,

2014 the Student was dropped from the program for violating the School’s

attendance policy. Contrary to the Student’s statement that her “supervisor was

willing to work with” her job schedule, on February 18, 2014 the School

discussed an externship opportunity with the Student at [redacted]. Unfortunately, the externship site was only

open until 4:00 p.m. and the Student works outside of the area until 5:00 p.m.

At that time the Student requested that the School contact her personal doctor,

Dr. [redacted] at [redacted] Internal Medicine, for a possible externship site one

day per week and on weekends. This information does not support the Student’s

claim that she was able to have a flexible schedule at work that she no longer

required an evening externship site.

The School

continued to attempt assisting the Student with locating an externship site

that fit within the confines of her work schedule. Records indicate that the

School had reached out to Simplicity Urgent Care, [redacted], and two different

doctors at [redacted] Internal Medicine with no success in securing a late

evening or weekend externship schedule.My Response Below.......I have every email regarding any site that was offered to me....Simplicity Urgent Care was not one of them. Please be advised that I previously called all of these sites and asked if they would work with my schedule and was told 'yes'. With the exception of Dr. [redacted] (who does not work on weekends, but Dr. [redacted] does). I can provide all of the emails between myself and [redacted] stating that my current supervisor was willing to work with me. I was able to take two full days off of my job in order to complete my externship. I knew that [redacted] was open on the weekends and asked [redacted] about them and she responded by saying, 'that may not work, because they're mad with me right now'.On March 25,

2014 the School notified the Student via email that a potential site was

identified at [redacted] Medical that was able to accommodate the Student’s

request for evening and weekend hours. Records indicate that the Student

completed re-entry paperwork on March 27, 2014 and began her externship with

[redacted] Medical on March 27, 2014 and is still actively participating in her

externship as of April 26, 2014.My Response Below..........This in itself shows how the school's record keeping is out of line with they're now reporting. I started at [redacted] Clinic on 4/5/2014 (I have the timesheet that I faxed to them). I would like $3,000 of my tuition returned to me. I cannot dispute the instruction that I've recieved from the instructors because it was prestine in itself. Although other aspects of the 'Everest' experience fell short of monies paid. It is not fair that they try to cover up their inadequacies with falsified documents. The school needs some work.....it would be a good school if long-term changes are made. Make an onsite visit......I'm sure there are many students who have had to purchase alternate supplies. Regards, [redacted]. [redacted]

Business

Response:

May 7, 2014We received the rebuttal from [redacted] (the “Student”). Everest College, [redacted] (the “School”) thanks the Revdex.com (the “Revdex.com”) for this opportunity to further respond to the Student’s concerns. While the School appreciates receiving the Student’s feedback regarding our response, she has not provided any new information inher rebuttal. As stated previously, the allegations raised by the Student were found to be without merit. Furthermore, the School would like to point out that the complaint was received at the School on April 18, 2014 from the Revdex.com, well after the Student was placed at her externship, further invalidating her claim that the School did not provide her any assistance and “only made an attempt to find me an extern site because of my letter to the Revdex.com.” The School again, respectfully declines the Student’s request for her educational funding to be returned to her and asks that the Revdex.comfind in favor and close the complaint. We again thank the Revdex.com for this opportunity to further address Student’s questions and concerns and to demonstrate the School’s commitment to the Revdex.com’s principles and purposes. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the number below if you wish to discuss this matter in greater detail.Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:I was not satified with some of the equipment that I was provided. One week in, I had a purchase another BP cuff. The school claims that they've received my complaint on April 18, 2014 but I've actually spoken with Dean [redacted] in March about my complaint with the Revdex.com. He also stated without prompting, '[redacted]. A lot of things have changed since you left'. Why would he just say that? Did they receive it on April 18 or just waited to until they rectified some issues to resspond to the complaint? The fact of the matter is the amount of refund I am requesting is fair. I initially asked for a full refund, but since altered the amount because as I stated before the instruction at Everest was great! The supplies, administrative and Executive staff support was not. The entire time I was in school I shared my concerns with my instructors which often told me, that it is not Everest fault. Well if it is not the school's responsibility to make sure the equipment being used by students are the best, then who's fault is it? Is it mine? Unfortunately, you do not learn about the faulty equipment until after you've started class. Had I known all of the issues with the school I would have searched around before enrolling with Everest. I can honestly say though, I'm hearing a lot of BAD press about them now. They seem to be the topic of conversation all around town. And the sad thing is......I didn't have to say one bad word about them or share my recent experience. I wish that I was privy to these enlightening conversations prior to my enrollment. It seems strange to me also that I've attended Everest since March of last year and not one time did I receive any email from the school regarding drug use on campus. But so conveniently, I recently received one after I've left Everest. Was drug use not one of my complaints with the Revdex.com? It definitely was. ([redacted]A message from [redacted] Please find the link below to the Drug Free Schools and Campuses annual disclosure. This Disclosure is being provided for your review per Department of Education requirement To Me